Stephen Rea was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He attended Belfast High School and the Queen's University, where he studied English. He later trained at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin. In 1970s, he acted in the Focus Company in Dublin with the talented 'Gabriel Byrne' . He was nominated an Oscar for Best Actor.
A Protestant republican, he was married to former IRA bomber Dolours Price.
Children: Danny Rea , Oscar Rea.
Acted in the Focus Company in Dublin with Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney in the late 70s.
Resides in Dublin, Ireland.
Was nominated for Broadways 1993 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for Frank McGuinness "Someone Wholl Watch Over Me".
Was considered for a role in Blown Away . Tommy Lee Jones was cast instead.
Was offered a part in Dennis Quaid s Flight of the Phoenix , but passed (source Richard E Grant diaries for Wah-Wah).
He got the nickname rev because he is ordained by both the Universal Life Church and The Church of the Dude. While he did it originally as a joke he has preformed a few wedding ceremonies for people over the years.
People ask me to smile for the camera, but somehow it always comes out gloomy. .
